2005 David Haviland ( Survey for Woolly Whitefly in Kern County )

Woolly whitefly is an established pest of citrus in southern and coastal citrus production regions of California. In those areas, it is naturally suppressed below economically damaging levels by parasitic wasps. Woolly whitefly has recently been introduced into the southern San Joaquin Valley in residential areas in northeast Bakersfield, Kern County. It appears, however, to have become introduced without the parasitic wasps known to control it in other portions of the state. As a result, woolly whitefly is quickly becoming established and spreading throughout urban areas of Bakersfield, and if left unabated has the potential to move into citrus production regions of Kern and neighboring counties.